Introduction
The Senegal national football team vs Morocco national football team lineups for the AFCON 2025 final featured some of Africa’s biggest stars, including Sadio Mané, Pape Gueye, Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou and Brahim Díaz.
The final was played on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. On the pitch, Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring in the 94th minute. However, the official outcome was later changed following a CAF Appeal Board ruling on March 17, 2026: Senegal were declared to have forfeited the match under Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, and the official result was recorded as Morocco 3–0 Senegal.
That unusual sequence means there are effectively two results to understand: the sporting result on the night, Senegal 1–0 Morocco, and the current official CAF result, Morocco 3–0 Senegal.
Senegal vs Morocco Final at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations |
| Match | Senegal vs Morocco |
| Date | January 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Kickoff | 20:00 local time / 19:00 GMT |
| On-field result | Senegal 1–0 Morocco AET |
| Goal | Pape Gueye, 94′ |
| Current official CAF result | Morocco 3–0 Senegal |
| Senegal coach | Pape Thiaw |
| Morocco coach | Walid Regragui |
CAF confirmed before the match that the final would take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium at 20:00 local time, or 19:00 GMT.
Senegal vs Morocco Predicted and Confirmed Lineups
Because the match has already been played, predicted lineups are no longer necessary for the current record. The most useful information is the confirmed starting XI that actually began the final.
Senegal Starting XI
Senegal lined up in a 4-3-3 formation:
- Édouard Mendy — goalkeeper
- Mamadou Sarr — right centre-back
- Moussa Niakhaté — centre-back
- El Hadji Malick Diouf — left-back
- Antoine Mendy — right-back
- Idrissa Gueye — midfielder
- Pape Gueye — midfielder
- Lamine Camara — midfielder
- Sadio Mané — forward
- Nicolas Jackson — forward
- Iliman Ndiaye — forward
ESPN’s final lineup record lists Senegal’s shape as 4-3-3 and confirms the starting XI above.
The absence of Kalidou Koulibaly was one of the most significant Senegal team-news developments. He had started the semi-final against Egypt but was forced off with an injury in that match and, more importantly, was suspended for the final after receiving a yellow card.
Morocco Starting XI
Morocco used a 4-1-4-1 formation:
- Yassine Bounou — goalkeeper
- Noussair Mazraoui — right-back
- Nayef Aguerd — centre-back
- Adam Masina — centre-back
- Achraf Hakimi — right-back
- Neil El Aynaoui — defensive midfielder
- Ismaël Saibari — midfielder
- Bilal El Khannouss — midfielder
- Abde Ezzalzouli — wide midfielder
- Brahim Díaz — attacking midfielder
- Ayoub El Kaabi — striker
The recorded lineup confirms Morocco’s 4-1-4-1 structure, with Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss, Ezzalzouli, Díaz and El Kaabi among the starters.
Key Players to Watch
Several players entered the final carrying major responsibility.
Sadio Mané was Senegal’s headline attacking threat. He had scored the winning goal against Egypt in the semi-final to send Senegal into the final.
Pape Gueye ultimately became the decisive figure on the pitch. His left-footed strike early in extra time gave Senegal the 1–0 lead and earned him the official Man of the Match award.
For Morocco, Yassine Bounou was crucial throughout the tournament, while Achraf Hakimi provided leadership and attacking quality from the right. Brahim Díaz was another major threat and finished AFCON 2025 as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Senegal vs Morocco Injuries and Team News
Senegal Injury News
The biggest Senegal concern entering the final was Kalidou Koulibaly.
Koulibaly was injured during Senegal’s semi-final victory over Egypt and was also unavailable for the final because of suspension after picking up a yellow card. His absence forced Senegal to adjust the centre of their defence.
The final starting XI therefore featured Moussa Niakhaté and Mamadou Sarr centrally, with Édouard Mendy behind them.
Morocco Injury News
There was no comparable major late injury absence identified in the confirmed Morocco starting XI. Morocco were able to field several of their most important players, including Bounou, Hakimi and Díaz.
The hosts had reached the final after beating Nigeria on penalties in the semi-final. Bounou was especially influential in that victory, saving two penalties during the shootout.
Players Missing the Match
The most notable Senegal absentee was Kalidou Koulibaly, whose absence was linked to suspension following the semi-final rather than simply an injury.
For Morocco, the final XI included the team’s major tournament leaders, with no equivalent high-profile suspension affecting the starting lineup.
Senegal vs Morocco Match Details
Kickoff Time
The AFCON 2025 final kicked off at 20:00 local time in Morocco and 19:00 GMT on January 18, 2026.
For viewers in the United States, the match took place in the afternoon Eastern Time because Morocco was several hours ahead of U.S. time zones.
Venue
The final was played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, one of the principal venues used during Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025.
The home setting added another layer of pressure to the occasion. Morocco entered the final looking to win the continental title in front of their own supporters, while Senegal were attempting to add another trophy after winning AFCON in 2021.
Competition
This was the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, commonly referred to as AFCON 2025 or the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
It was Senegal’s fourth AFCON final and Morocco’s second. Before kickoff, CAF noted that the nations had never previously met at an AFCON tournament, despite a long overall international history.
Senegal vs Morocco Live Score and Results
Live Score Updates
The match was level after 90 minutes, with neither side able to break through.
Morocco then received a late penalty after a VAR review, but Édouard Mendy saved Brahim Díaz’s attempt, sending the final into extra time.
Three minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye struck from the edge of the penalty area to put Senegal ahead.
Senegal 1–0 Morocco, 94′ — Pape Gueye
Senegal held onto the lead through the remainder of extra time.
Final Score
The on-field final score was Senegal 1–0 Morocco after extra time. ESPN’s match record confirms Gueye’s 94th-minute winner and the 1–0 result.
However, that is no longer the official CAF result.
On March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeal Board overturned the earlier disciplinary decision and ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final. CAF therefore recorded the match as:
Morocco 3–0 Senegal — official result
The decision was based on CAF Articles 82 and 84 and followed an appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.
Who Won Senegal vs Morocco?
The answer depends on which result is being discussed.
- On the pitch: Senegal won 1–0 after extra time.
- Current official CAF record: Morocco won 3–0 by forfeit following the March 17, 2026 Appeal Board decision.
For current reporting, databases and articles should therefore distinguish between the match-day result and the subsequently amended official result.
Senegal vs Morocco Prediction: What the Match Suggested
Before kickoff, the matchup was difficult to separate.
Senegal arrived as the defending AFCON champions from 2021 and had just beaten Egypt 1–0 in the semi-final through a Sadio Mané goal. Morocco, meanwhile, were playing at home and had survived a penalty shootout against Nigeria.
Senegal’s Strengths
Senegal’s greatest advantage was their combination of physical power, tournament experience and individual quality.
Sadio Mané remained the focal point in attack, while Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye gave the midfield energy and defensive protection. The back line also had the experience to cope with a high-pressure final.
Morocco’s Strengths
Morocco’s home advantage was significant, but their strongest argument was their defensive organization.
Yassine Bounou had already demonstrated his ability to decide knockout matches, while Hakimi provided attacking threat from full-back. Brahim Díaz offered creativity and goals between midfield and attack.
CAF’s eventual Team of the Tournament reflected that quality: Morocco supplied Bounou, Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Díaz, while Senegal had Moussa Niakhaté, Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye and Mané.
Senegal vs Morocco Head-to-Head
Before the AFCON final, Senegal and Morocco had met 31 times, according to CAF’s pre-match statistics, with Morocco holding 18 wins to Senegal’s six and seven draws. The 2026 final was their first meeting at an AFCON tournament.
That historical advantage for Morocco, however, did not prevent Senegal from producing the decisive moment on the night.
Senegal vs Morocco Confirmed Lineups
Senegal Starting XI
Édouard Mendy; Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Antoine Mendy; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara; Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye.
Morocco Starting XI
Yassine Bounou; Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Achraf Hakimi; Neil El Aynaoui; Ismaël Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Abde Ezzalzouli, Brahim Díaz; Ayoub El Kaabi.
Substitutes
Senegal substitutes: Pape Matar Sarr, Cheick Sabaly, Habib Diallo, Mamadou Lamine Camara, Mory Diaw, Ousseynou Niang, Pathé Ciss, Boulaye Dia and Yehvann Diouf, among others listed in the match squad.
Morocco substitutes: Sofyan Amrabat, Youssef Belammari, Mohamed Chibi, Munir El Kajoui, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi, Romain Saïss, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal and Mehdi Harrar.
Senegal vs Morocco Match Result and Highlights
The final was defined by three major moments.
First, both teams remained scoreless through 90 minutes. The match was tight enough that neither side could establish a decisive advantage.
Second, Morocco appeared to have the opportunity to win when they were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review. Mendy saved Díaz’s effort, keeping Senegal alive.
Third came Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner. His strike in the 94th minute gave Senegal the on-field victory and earned him the Man of the Match award.
The story did not end there, however. CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final and officially changed the result to 3–0 in Morocco’s favour. That ruling is essential context for anyone searching for the current AFCON final score or result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Senegal vs Morocco?
The AFCON 2025 final kicked off at 8:00 p.m. local time in Morocco and 7:00 p.m. GMT on January 18, 2026.
Who won Senegal vs Morocco?
On the field, Senegal beat Morocco 1–0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring in the 94th minute. However, CAF’s Appeal Board subsequently declared Senegal to have forfeited the final and recorded the official result as Morocco 3–0 Senegal on March 17, 2026.
What are the confirmed lineups?
Senegal started with Édouard Mendy in goal and Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye in attack. Morocco started with Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi among their key players. The complete starting XIs are listed above.
Are any key players injured?
Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly was a major absence. He was forced off injured during the semi-final against Egypt and was also suspended for the final after receiving a yellow card.
Where can I watch Senegal vs Morocco?
Because the final has already taken place, fans looking for the match should check the official CAF platforms and the tournament’s licensed broadcast partners for available highlights or replay coverage. Broadcast rights varied by territory.
Author Bio: Hamid Ali is a passionate football writer covering major international tournaments, match lineups, team news, and results. His goal is to provide accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand football analysis for fans worldwide.
Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
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